Year 3 -20th September 2026 - Sao Vicente, Cape Verde to Faial -Azores

We woke at a reasonable time as I wanted to be at Immigration at about 8.00am as agreed to check out.

We had heard from Julian that he had got to Gatwick safely and had gone straight to Moorfields but will have to wait until the morning to be seen properly.  We wish him well and a speedy recovery.

We had breakfast -our usual granola, fruit and yoghurt. Dave was feeling a bit under the weather but on the mend.

People went for showers and we began to prepare for a departure as planned for the Azores. I went to check the engine room and found a bolt and washer under the engine and then tried to work out where it had come from. I looked around properly with a torch and so did Paul but we could not identity how it had got there. I started the engine and all seemed well so we will keep it and see if anything happens.

I went to the Immigration office in the marina but the man was not there. However, the cleaning lady called him and he arrived 10 minutes later and then he required everyone to go to the office where he took our pictures again and stamped our passports. I then had to wait for the marina office to open to finally check out. The guys took the marina cards which had 100 lts of water on them and so we used up whatever water was left (after the use from showers) on them to put into our tanks.

I checked out with the marina and then managed to change all our Portuguese Escudos into Euros and then I headed back to Stormbird. The guys had prepared the lines as slips ready for departure. Mark was finishing off vacuum sealing the meats for the freezer.

We gathered together in the cockpit and I explained about the weather and our proposed course and plan. I also explained that it seemed we would run out of wind probably on the 23rd and that we may have to motor through a wind hole for a few days. There is also a potential storm near the Azores at present which we will need to keep our eye on as suggested by the National Hurricane Centre, although it is not expected to develop into a Tropical Depression. As Julian was not here I had to reallocate the emergency duties and so we were ready to go.

We slipped the mooring about 9.35am and came out of the marina into the harbour area. It was a lovely calm day and the sun was out and there were small high pressure fluffy clouds. The harbour was quite busy and we had to avoid one ship coming in and then we were able to head Northeast toward the East side of Saint Antao island which is the island opposite Sao Vicente. It had been a good few days and we had provisioned and seen some of the island. We feel that there will be more to see and it will be nicer in the Azores so we did not want to stay long.  

The passage to Faial in the Azores is just over 1,300 nm and will take us probably about 8-9 days depending on the wind. Our course initially sends us a little Northwest and then it should curve round. The actual direct course is 001 degrees and we will initially try to sail at about 341 degrees for a few days.

The guys put away the lines and fenders and we motored passed the little island called Passaros which has a lighthouse on it with a white staircase going up to it and it reminded me of Santorini in Greece with the little chapel and the whit staircase leading up to it.

The Canal Sao Vicente had the wind blowing through it at 20 plus knots and also a short chop. We could not really sail it so had to motor through it only doing about 4.5-5.5kts. It took us some time therefore to get through the Canal and round the East coast of Saint Antao. It is a large, long island and high too with its highest peak being about 1380 meters. It was very rocky and had red coloured rock indicating iron and lots of peaks and volcanic cones.

I took  the first watch and was doing it on my own as Julian was not on board. The others were around and it was not an issue. We decided to go on to the Azores time (GMT) straight away so we went one hour ahead. I altered the plotters and the ships clock.

Mark prepared a loaf of bread and made some coleslaw. Mark and Dave took over at 12.30pm – the new time and I put out lunch (bread, meats, cheese and salad and of course coleslaw!) which we had whilst going round Saint Antao.

After lunch it was about the right time were we could try to sail and I had already put two waypoints to sail for. We put up full main and genoa and were soon whizzing along at about 8+ kts albeit a little West of our ideal course. We continued on this course as Saint Antao gradually began to get smaller. There was no traffic about. I could see on the plotter some 221 nm ahead the waypoints I had used in January 2024 when crossing the Atlantic. I will therefore most likely cross my previous track tomorrow and will therefore have been round the world. However, in my mind it is when I shall actually get back to Hamble that I will have fully circumnavigated.

The afternoon continued and we sailed well and fast and Paul and John took over from Mark and Dave. I had a rest but had volunteered to do supper. Dave made a cup of tea at about 4.00pm and we had the second instalment of his fruit cake which was delicious.   

We saw a number of sea birds swopping down and flying round the contours of the waves. They are magical flyers and it looks effortless but if they get it wrong it would be quite an impact. Saint Antao faded away and we had the ocean to ourselves. The sun began to fade and Mr Moon was already out showing its face.

I later heated up the chicken curry (prepared by Dave in Cape Town) we had got out the freezer which we had with rice and peas. It was easy for our first night. However, we had about a 15-degree heel so cooking was a little tricky. It was enjoyed by all and we settled down for our first night at sea again.

I took over at 8.00pm on my own although Mark stayed up for a bit. We put the instruments into night mode and the tricolour was put on. I shook out the reef in the genoa after a while and as the wind had veered and was able to bring us back on course.

A cargo ship appeared on AIS and it was bound for Mindelo. The wind was expected to drop a bit in the night but we should still be able to sail. I hope we have a good night and make some miles but with everyone able to sleep.  

It feels good to be on our way again as we are getting closer to home. It will also be nice to see some more of the Azores.      

The picture of the day is the little island of Passaros which has the lighthouse on it with a white staircase with Saint Antao behind.

 Need/Opportunity Year Three

I am now on the way to Cape Verde, Azores and back to the UK.  At present I am full and there will be a change of 3 crew in the Azores for the final passage back to the UK.

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com